How much does a legal answering service cost?+
Traditional services usually charge per minute, per call or through monthly plans; ask each provider to quote the same month of calls. Published receptionist plans checked on 2026-09-22 include Smith.ai at $810 a month for 90 calls, PATLive at $759 for 500 minutes and Ruby at $1,725 for 500 minutes. NuTalk Unlimited is $499 USD a month for unlimited AI calls and call evaluations on your line, with simultaneous-call capacity, phone numbers, carrier usage and hardware confirmed for your package; premium voices may be billed separately. Usage-based plans start free, and the 14-day trial needs no credit card.
Will the AI give legal advice?+
No. It follows your intake script, collects facts and contact details, and answers only from the business information you provide, such as office hours, locations and how consultations work. Legal questions go to your team.
Can it help with conflict checks?+
It collects the information your conflict check needs, such as the names of the other parties, and includes it in the call record. Your staff runs the check and decides whether the firm can take the matter.
What do existing clients hear when they call after hours?+
The AI takes the message for their attorney and tells them what your firm has approved, such as when the office reopens and when to expect a reply. It doesn't discuss the case or promise a callback time your staff hasn't agreed to. If your firm keeps an after-hours number for urgent matters, the AI can give it out; otherwise the message waits in the call log for staff.
Can it book consultations?+
Yes. When a caller meets your criteria, it books a consultation on your connected calendar (Cal.com, Google Calendar or NuTalk scheduling), and your staff can follow up on WhatsApp if your clients use it. If you clear conflicts first, have it collect details only and let staff book.
Does it work as an answering service for solo lawyers and small firms?+
Yes. A solo lawyer or small firm can have it answer while you're in court, in meetings or out of the office, or only take the calls your staff can't pick up, by setting your carrier's call forwarding. It uses the same intake script and consultation booking either way. The 14-day free trial needs no credit card, so you can test your script before you forward the line.
Can it handle Spanish-speaking callers?+
Yes. NuTalk runs intake in English and Spanish on the same line. Have a bilingual staff member review the Spanish version of your script before launch.
How are intake calls recorded and summarized?+
Every intake call is saved with a recording, transcript, summary and quality evaluation, so staff can review the caller's exact words before calling back. Before launch, check that your recording disclosures and data policies fit how your firm handles client information.
How do we set it up and keep the firm's number?+
Start the 14-day free trial and build the intake script with the person who runs intake today. Test it on a trial number, then forward your line to NuTalk, use a NuTalk number, or connect the NuTalk AiBox to an analog line or SIP trunk after confirming compatibility.